Nation's Top Truck Drivers to Compete in Pittsburgh

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry ... Facebook Twitter Pinterest

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight.Trucking Moves America Forward. (PRNewsFoto/American Trucking Associations)

ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Next week, more than 400 top professional truck drivers from across the country will head to Pittsburgh for the 77th annual "Super Bowl of Safety," the 2014 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships, hosted by American Trucking Associations.

Safety is the trucking industry's highest priority," said ATA Chairman Phil Byrd, president and CEO of Bulldog Hiway Express, Charleston, S.C. "And there is no better place to see how deep our commitment is than at this annual gathering of the safest drivers on the road."

Featuring 426 competitors from all 50 states, including 23 first-time participants and 11 women, the NTDC and NSVDC pits winners of state contests in eight different classes – from 18-wheeled five-axle sleepers to tank trucks to twin trailers to straight trucks – any one of whom could be named Bendix National Truck Driving Championships Grand Champion.

After kicking off August 12 with the Breakfast of Champions, sponsored by Meritor Inc. and featuring ATA President and CEO Bill Graves, drivers will spend four days testing their mettle behind the wheel on a challenging driving course and demonstrate their knowledge of trucking safety practices, equipment and the industry at large.

The competition ends August 16 with the crowning of the Bendix National Truck Driving Championships Grand Champion, top competitors in every vehicle class and the top state team. In addition, the 22nd annual North American Inspectors Championship for commercial vehicle enforcement professionals will again take place alongside the NTDC.

The National Truck Driving Championships, along with the National Step Van Driving Championships and the North American Inspectors Championship will take place Aug. 12-16 at Pittsburgh's David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

NTDC annually attracts over 2,000 cheering friends, family, colleagues and spectators. For more information, visit the 2014 National Truck Driving Championships website. Follow NTDC next week on Twitter or on Facebook.